# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=451 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 452 --- ## [How do you handle your kid's shoplifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-handle-your-kids-shoplifting/541142)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-handle-your-kids-shoplifting/541142 "2010-06-11T19:31:15Z")
Scenario: You take your kid and a few young teen friends to the mall. You browse through a high end store where the kids show some interest in a few items, but nobody buys anything. Later at home you notice the kids a… --- ## [BP Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bp-boycott/542671)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bp-boycott/542671 "2010-06-11T16:08:20Z")
The campaigns to boycott BP as a result of the oil spill are simply a misdirected revenge effort that will do more harm than good. The vast majority of the people affected as a result of the boycott, stockholders includ… --- ## [Does marriage counseling work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-marriage-counseling-work/541532)
**Author:** [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-marriage-counseling-work/541532 "2010-06-11T15:00:43Z")
I’ve seen marriage counseling mentioned in quite a few relationship threads. I don’t have experience with marriage counseling, but I have the feeling that once a couple gets to the point where they’ve started to despise … --- ## [Liberal equivalent to conservative preoccupation with 2nd amendment/paranoia about Obama taking guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-equivalent-to-conservative-preoccupation-with-2nd-amendment-paranoia-about-obama-taking-guns/542661)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-equivalent-to-conservative-preoccupation-with-2nd-amendment-paranoia-about-obama-taking-guns/542661 "2010-06-11T12:51:09Z")
This is likely to devolve pretty quickly. Let me say first what I’m not doing: \[ul\] \[li\]I’m not calling all conservatives crazy. I grew up in a conservative family in one of the most conservative areas of the US. Fo… --- ## [Is Causality Bullshit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-causality-bullshit/542018)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-causality-bullshit/542018 "2010-06-10T23:41:34Z")
I am not a physics major, but I had one trying to explain why my idea wouldn’t work for superluminal communication. This was my idea using what little I know about entanglement - I was bouncing the idea off of him but h… --- ## [is there a reason to philosophy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-to-philosophy/542105)
**Author:** [@Swarog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swarog)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-to-philosophy/542105 "2010-06-10T18:47:16Z")
Since the questions aren’t ever answer, is there really a point? The only reason i can think of for doing anything, is because we think it makes us happy. This includes the humanties, pursuing science or academics, acqu… --- ## [Shorter Copyright Terms for Entertainment Software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shorter-copyright-terms-for-entertainment-software/541612)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shorter-copyright-terms-for-entertainment-software/541612 "2010-06-10T15:57:34Z")
I was reading up recently on Duke Nukem Forever, a first-person shooter game instalment in a popular late '80s-early '90s franchise. The game has been in development since 1997(!) and is, for all intents and purposes, c… --- ## [Cannabis question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannabis-question/542620)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannabis-question/542620 "2010-06-10T15:27:37Z")
With all the talk about the bad economy and how to fix it, I have always thought that if you legalized it in all its forms, that it would generate a lot of jobs and a lot of money. If you break cannabis down into three … --- ## [Anatomy of an Epidemic: Medication and mental illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anatomy-of-an-epidemic-medication-and-mental-illness/542382)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anatomy-of-an-epidemic-medication-and-mental-illness/542382 "2010-06-10T13:43:12Z")
I recently read the book Anatomy of an Epidemic, and found it fascinating. Here are a couplereviews that touch on some key points. Here is the author’s website. The basic premise of the book is this \[QUOTE=from the Sal… --- ## [Quarter of a million US diplomatic cables may have been leaked, how big a deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarter-of-a-million-us-diplomatic-cables-may-have-been-leaked-how-big-a-deal/542411)
**Author:** [@enigmatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigmatic)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarter-of-a-million-us-diplomatic-cables-may-have-been-leaked-how-big-a-deal/542411 "2010-06-10T05:34:05Z")
An intelligence analyst appears to have been arrested in Kuwait for leaking classified data via Wikileaks. It appears this individual was responsible for leaking the recent helicopter attack video, but it also appears th… --- ## [How do republicans keep winning elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-republicans-keep-winning-elections/541126)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-republicans-keep-winning-elections/541126 "2010-06-10T05:06:41Z")
Yeah, I have a huge political bias and you can’t really have an intelligent debate with a title like that. But who haven’t many of them alienated, insulted, pissed off or pissed on? Everyone on the west coast Everyone… --- ## [Iran Obama's 'only chance of success'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-obamas-only-chance-of-success/539682)
**Author:** [@Zanthor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanthor)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-obamas-only-chance-of-success/539682 "2010-06-10T04:06:00Z")
An article of news from the Brisbane Courier Mail and New York Times… 06 / 05 / 2010 IRANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said overnight that Iran was the “only chance” for his US counterpart Barack Obama to succeed a… --- ## [Where did Cain and Abel's wives come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-cain-and-abels-wives-come-from/542255)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-cain-and-abels-wives-come-from/542255 "2010-06-09T22:16:48Z")
I was reading Genesis today, and in the section where Cain killed Abel, Cain fled with his wife. Where did his wife come from? Also, Adam and Eve had a third son, Epram or something. Where did all the wives come from? Th… --- ## [Obama's Foreign Policy is an Utter Failure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-foreign-policy-is-an-utter-failure/542450)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-foreign-policy-is-an-utter-failure/542450 "2010-06-09T20:52:04Z")
Yesterday, I read this article in the Globe and Mail, about how Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper achieved pretty much all of Canada’s objectives at the G20 summit - most of them opposed by the Obama administration: … --- ## [Mullah, Mosque & State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mullah-mosque-state/541154)
**Author:** [@Abisafyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abisafyan)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mullah-mosque-state/541154 "2010-06-09T19:23:21Z")
Mullah, Mosque & State ‘Mullah, Mosque & State’ is my focus. One of the serious surmises, which is being proliferated by most of the Muslim vocal clergy is their prolonged & fatal misconception. They believe firmly that… --- ## [Would you pay to vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-to-vote/542421)
**Author:** [@Random\_Design](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random_Design)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-to-vote/542421 "2010-06-09T19:14:39Z")
The American “democratic” system seems fundamentally flawed as presidential candidates accept donations from campaign supporters without which they couldn’t successfully campaign. These donors are not donating simply fo… --- ## [Open Primaries = less extremism? Yeah, now pull the other one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-primaries-less-extremism-yeah-now-pull-the-other-one/540860)
**Author:** [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-primaries-less-extremism-yeah-now-pull-the-other-one/540860 "2010-06-09T17:39:38Z")
California has a ballot initiative for an open primary, of the top two variety. It has been asserted by the authors that this would alleviate the more extreme of the partisan politics currently infecting our elections. … --- ## [Is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill that big of a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-that-big-of-a-problem/542452)
**Author:** [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-that-big-of-a-problem/542452 "2010-06-09T00:43:56Z")
For the record, I think it is a major problem, but I need help supporting my opinion with hard facts in the light of this list of worst oil spills. I was prompted to look this up after seeing this video on CNN about the … --- ## [If the earth was doomed what would be the morality of seeding Mars with life ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-was-doomed-what-would-be-the-morality-of-seeding-mars-with-life/542304)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-was-doomed-what-would-be-the-morality-of-seeding-mars-with-life/542304 "2010-06-09T00:41:46Z")
I just read this article about arctic microbes that could theoretically survive on Mars. And was thinking about this a bit… Under normal circumstances transplanting Earth-bound microbes to other planets is considered … --- ## [Imagine if there were no posessions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imagine-if-there-were-no-posessions/541892)
**Author:** [@No\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Man)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imagine-if-there-were-no-posessions/541892 "2010-06-08T21:27:46Z")
A couple of local rastafas kidnapped me. First they tried to get my Visa pin code saying “Tomorrow you will not be” pointing a knife at my neck. I replied (drunk as I was) that I could not care less. Then the man moved… --- ## [What do humanistic disciplines offer that scientific disciplines do not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-humanistic-disciplines-offer-that-scientific-disciplines-do-not/542057)
**Author:** [@Vaevictis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaevictis)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-humanistic-disciplines-offer-that-scientific-disciplines-do-not/542057 "2010-06-08T18:36:26Z")
Here’s some initial ideas: Science does not lend itself to evaluating things as good or bad. The Humanities provide rich framework for discussions of value. Science is limited to the natural world, but in the humaniti… --- ## [Benefits of a Parliamentary System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-a-parliamentary-system/542073)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-a-parliamentary-system/542073 "2010-06-08T15:03:55Z")
What in your opinion are the benefits of a Parliamentary system or if you don’t think so what are the disadvantages? --- ## [What should Obama do about the BP oil spill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-obama-do-about-the-bp-oil-spill/541638)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-obama-do-about-the-bp-oil-spill/541638 "2010-06-08T13:32:10Z")
Yes, it’s another oil spill thread. I heard Bill Maher going on about how the oil just keeps leaking and how terrible it is that Obama hasn’t done anything about it yet. Over in this thread Marley23 said while over o… --- ## [Should Sestak Squeal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 331\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604 "2010-06-08T13:26:02Z")
In this piece, Politico reports that Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary winner Joe Sestak confirms that he was offered a job by the White House if he would drop out of the race, clearing the way (presumably) for long… --- ## [How would the world react if we found conclusive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-world-react-if-we-found-conclusive-proof-of-extraterrestrial-intelligence/542199)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-world-react-if-we-found-conclusive-proof-of-extraterrestrial-intelligence/542199 "2010-06-08T12:35:24Z")
A spin off of this interesting thread in GQ where ChrisBooth12 asks if the U.S. government has any planned response for aliens/UFOs. So, I want to broaden the question slightly - but try and keep it somewhat on the hard… --- ## [Do we cut women more slack than men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-cut-women-more-slack-than-men/541802)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-cut-women-more-slack-than-men/541802 "2010-06-08T01:57:34Z")
Okay, I got the idea for this thread when I read the thread about the guy whose wife found strange panties in the wash and thought he was cheating. A lot of people pointed out that the wife is pregnant/hormonal and to go… --- ## [Language, Bullies, Fat, C\*nt and What We Find Offensive.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-bullies-fat-c-nt-and-what-we-find-offensive/541991)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-bullies-fat-c-nt-and-what-we-find-offensive/541991 "2010-06-08T00:03:18Z")
I am fat. In fact, I am obese. I have struggled with degrees of fatness since I was 9 years old. But I no longer believe that it makes me less lovable, less worthy, less valuable. I no longer believe it is something I s… --- ## ["The New Deal didn't end the Great Depression, WWII did!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-deal-didnt-end-the-great-depression-wwii-did/541701)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-deal-didnt-end-the-great-depression-wwii-did/541701 "2010-06-07T20:36:56Z")
I’ve seen this claim bandied about in conservative circles. The idea is that the New Deal was largely ineffectual in lifting the country out the of economic stagnation of the 1930’s. All that government spending was ju… --- ## [Value of a single human life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-a-single-human-life/540664)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-a-single-human-life/540664 "2010-06-07T17:08:06Z")
How much of your tax money would you be alright spending if you knew,100%, that it would save an unknown persons life. Without spending that money they will die with 100% certainty. Is there a limit? If so how do you de… --- ## [Armando Galarraga: A Perfect Solution is to Make it Perfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armando-galarraga-a-perfect-solution-is-to-make-it-perfect/541769)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armando-galarraga-a-perfect-solution-is-to-make-it-perfect/541769 "2010-06-07T14:57:07Z")
There is at least one other thread about this (and I haven’t even checked The Pit), however, I wanted to see if we could come up with a solution to this miscarriage of perfection in a forum of civility. Lacking that, it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=450) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=452)